Agnostic – the philosophical position that 100% certainty of any fact is untenable. It is the height of reason to begin from this position, but the subtleties of its implications are lost on many. As it states a position regarding knowledge rather than belief, it is all too often utilized as an evasive straw-manargument. Compare withLibertarianism.

Atheist – paradoxically both the simplest of all theological positions and that to which the most erroneous of beliefs, customs, motives, and agendas are attributed, even by those who self-identify as such. This fact has recently led to the unintended but nonetheless agreeable development of a globe-spanning community of atheists, agnostics, skeptics, and freethinkers – many of which can readily identify as all-of-the-above.

Fundamentalist – the unwavering adherer to a certain set of beliefs or principles, characterized by an utter unamenability to reasonable argument or evidence. Considering its derivation, this term is ironically cherished by those to whom it is best applied. The word is formed by the compounding of two other words: fundament (meaning anus) and a-list (meaningcream of the crop). Thus, anyone self-identifying as a fundamentalist is merely claiming to be afirst-rate asshole!

Libertarian – the political position that maximum liberty balanced with a government minimal in size and influence will provide the best of all possible worlds. It is the height of reason to begin from this position, but the subtleties of its implications are lost on many. As it states a vague but universally sought end without further clarifying the form of or means to that end, it is all too often utilized as an evasive straw-manargument. Compare withAgnosticism.